Enzyme inhibitors

ABSTRACT

Diketoacids of Formula A are useful as inhibitors of viral polymerases. In particular hepatitis C virus RNA dependent RNA polymerase (HCV RdRp), hepatitis B virus polymerase (HBV pol) and reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV RT):  
                 
 
     The group R may be broadly chosen and is an organic moiety which contains 2 to 24 carbon atoms and includes an optionally cyclic or heterocyclic group in which the atom directly bonded to the adjacent carbonyl in the diketoacid is part of the ring structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to compounds useful as enzyme inhibitors, in particular as inhibitors of enzymes involved in the transfer of phosphoryl groups and, especially as inhibitors of polymerases. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and to their use in the treatment of viral infections.

[0002] Polymerases are the enzymes which catalyse the formation of phosphodiester bonds in RNA and DNA. They play an essential role in viral replication and, therefore, are an important target in the fight against viral diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis, and poliomyelitis.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,109 describes dioxobutanoic acids substituted with piperidine or similar N-substituted saturated cycloalkyls as inhibitors of the cap-dependent endonuclease of influenza virus.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present inventors have discovered that a range of diketoacids have utility as enzyme inhibitors and, in particular, as polymerase inhibitors and more particularly as inhibitors of hepatitis C NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, HBV DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and HIV DNA- dependent DNA polymerase. Their investigations indicate that these compounds may act by interfering with the binding of phosporyl groups at the active site of the enzyme and may, therefore, have broad application in inhibiting enzymes involved in the transfer of phosphoryl groups.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a compound of formula A shown below. This compound is suitable for therapeutic use, for instance as an enzyme inhibitor.

[0006] Optionally, the compound may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester, which can be hydrolysed in vivo to the corresponding diketoacid.

[0007] In formula A, the group R is an organic moiety which contains from 2 to 24, preferably 4 to 20, most preferably 6 to 17 carbon atoms in total. R includes an optionally substituted cyclic or heterocyclic group in which the atom directly bonded to the adjacent carbonyl in the diketoacid is part of the ring structure. Preferably, this atom is a carbon atom.

[0008] The ring which is thus bonded to the carbonyl group is preferably a 3 to 8 membered ring, particularly a 4 to 6 membered ring.

[0009] Thus, for example, R may be selected from:

[0010] (i) optionally substituted aromatic groups, especially those including six membered rings, such as phenyl and naphthyl;

[0011] (ii) optionally substituted heteroaryl groups especially those including five and six membered rings such as thiophene, pyrrole, furan, imidazole, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, and pyridazyl; the heteroaryl ring may, optionally be fused to another ring;

[0012] (iii) optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, especially those including five or six membered rings such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and adamantyl;

[0013] (iv) optionally substituted cycloalkenyl groups, especially those including five or six numbered rings such as cyclohexenyl, cyclopentenyl;

[0014] (v) optionally substituted cyclic heteroalkyl groups, especially those including five or six numbered rings such as piperidyl, pyrrolidyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, and tetrahydropyranyl; in this class 4- piperidyl rings substituted with an aryl group at carbon 4 and on acyl or sulfonyl substituent at N1 are preferred.

[0015] In the case of optional substitution, one or more substituents may be present and a wide variety of substituents are possible. Preferred optional substituents for all compounds of the present invention are set out in the following list:

[0016] (a) —OH;

[0017] (b) —SH;

[0018] (c) - halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine or bromine,

[0019] (d) —CO₂H;

[0020] (e) —CN;

[0021] (f) —NO2;

[0022] (g) —NR₁R₂ wherein each of R₁ and R₂ is selected from H and lower alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or R₁ and R₂ together form a ring including 4 to 6 carbon atoms;

[0023] (h) —SO₂NR₁R₂ where R₁ and R₂ are as defined above;

[0024] (i) —CONH₂, —NHCO₂H, or —NHCOCOOH;

[0025] (j) an alkyl (or alkenyl or alkynyl group) group having 1 to 12 (2 to 12) carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 7 (2 to 7) carbon atoms optionally substituted by any one or more of the groups (a)-(i) above and/or optionally interrupted by a group selected from —O—, —S—, —NR₃—,

[0026]  —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CONR₃—, —NR₃CONR₃—, —SO₂—, —NR₃SO₂—, and —SO₂NR₃—; where each R₃ independently is H or lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

[0027] (k) an aryl or heteroaryl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with any one or more of groups (a) to (j) above;

[0028] (l) an aralkyl or heteroaralkyl group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms optionally substituted with any one or more of groups (a)-(j) above and/or in which the alkyl part of the group is optionally interrupted by a group selected from

[0029]  —O—, —S—, —NR₃—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CONR₃—, —NR₃CONR₃—, —SO₂—, —NR₃SO₂—, and —SO₂NR₃—; where R₃ is as defined above;

[0030] (m)

[0031]  where R₄ is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl group as such groups are defined above at (j), (k) and (l);

[0032] (n)

[0033]  where R₄ is as defined above;

[0034] (o) —OR₄ where R₄ is as defined above;

[0035] (p)

[0036]  where R₄ is as defined above;

[0037] (q) —SO₂R₄ where R₄ is as defined above;

[0038] (r) —NHR₄ or —N(R₄)₂ where R₄ is as defined above;

[0039] (s) —NHSO₂R₄ or —SO₂NHR₄, where R₄ is as defined above;

[0040] (t) —SR₄ and each of optional substituents (j) to (t) above may optionally itself be substituted by one or more groups selected from (j) to (t).

[0041] A preferred class of compounds of formula A is represented by formula E:

[0042] in which Ar is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group. Optional substituents may be selected from the list of preferred substituents set out above. Within this class of preferred compounds two especially preferred groups are set out below (formulas F and G)

[0043] R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are, independently H or are selected from the optional substituents listed above and R₇ and R₈ taken together may form a 4 to 7, preferably 5 or 6 membered ring; and X is O, S, NH, or NR₄ where R₄ is as defined above.

[0044] In compounds of formula F, (which are optionally substituted phenyl diketoacids) ortho, meta and para substitution are possible.

[0045] In general, it is preferred that there is a single substituent, preferably at the position which is ortho- or meta- to the diketoacid group. Substitution at the meta-position is especially preferred. Where two substituents are present, then preferably the phenyldiketoacid is 2,5-substituted; 3,5-substitution is also possible, as is 2,4-substitution provided, in the latter case, that the substituent at the 4-position is relatively small (e.g. methyl). Disubstitution at the 2,3- and 2,6-positions is, in general, not preferred.

[0046] Preferred substituents, especially at the ortho and meta positions, are ether groups of formula (o) above (i.e. —OR₄), hydroxyl, and —NHSO₂R₄. It is generally preferred that no more than one substituent be —OR 4 and/or —NHSO₂R₄.

[0047] Preferred examples of —OR₄ groups which may be found at the ortho and meta positions and particularly at the meta position include:

[0048] —OCH₂Ar or, less preferably —O(CH₂)₂Ar where Ar is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group and is particularly preferably an optionally substituted phenyl group. Examples of preferred substituents on the aryl group, and especially on the phenyl ring include halogens, especially fluorine and chlorine, and electron-withdrawing groups such as —CN, —CO₂H, and —CF₃ as well as ether and aryl groups;

[0049] —O—(CH₂)₃—CN; and

[0050] —O—(CH₂)₃—C≡CH.

[0051] Preferred sulfonamide groups which may be found at the ortho- and meta- positions, particularly at the meta- position are those of formula:

[0052] —NH—SO₂—Ar, where Ar is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group, preferably an optionally substituted phenyl group. Preferred optional substituents for the aryl, preferably phenyl group, include: —CN; halogens, especially chlorine and fluorine, —CF₃, lower (C₁₋₆) alkyl (especially methyl), hydroxy-, ether, and —NO₂ groups.

[0053] For both the —OCH₂Ar and —NHSO₂Ar substituted compounds, another preferred example of Ar is naphthyl.

[0054] Other preferred substituents at the ortho and meta positions are lower (eg C₁₋₆) alkyl groups, especially C₁₋₄ alkyl, such as methyl and ethyl, but in particular methyl, aralkyl groups, especially phenylmethyl groups, optionally substituted in the phenyl ring, especially by a halogen, and nitrogen-containing substituents such as primary, secondary or tertiary amine groups, optionally in protonated form, amide, urethane, or urea groups in each of which examples there is a nitrogen atom bonded to the phenyl ring.

[0055] One particularly preferred sub class of compounds of formula F is those in which each of R₅ and R₆ is selected from H, HO—, R₄O—, and —NHSO₂R₄ provided that no more than one of R₅ and R₆ is R₄O— or —NHSO₂R₄.

[0056] In compounds of formula G the diketoacid group may be at the 2- or 3- position of the ring. In many cases substitution at the 2-position is preferred.

[0057] Preferred examples of compounds of formula G are those in which the five membered aromatic ring,

[0058] is a pyrrole or thiophene ring. In the case of the pyrrole-substituted diketoacids, the groups R₇ and R₈ may both be hydrogen and in many cases that is preferred. If R₇ and R₈ correspond to substituent groups, then these may be at any of the positions not already occupied by the diketoacid group. Examples of possible substituents include alkyl (especially methyl), halogen, and aralkyl (especially benzyl) groups.

[0059] One embodiment of pyrrole substituted diketoacid is that in which the diketoacid group is at the 2- position of the ring and where the only other substituent in the ring is on the nitrogen atom. In this case, preferred examples of the substituent R₄ present on the nitrogen atom, include alkyl, aryl or aralkyl groups, particularly aralkyl (such as benzyl) groups. Where an aryl or aralkyl group is present these are preferably substituted with halogen atoms, such as fluorine or chlorine, or by cyano-groups.

[0060] In the case of the thiophene-substituted diketoacids a wide range of substituents R₇ and R₈ may be employed in various positions as will be evident from the tables infra. Preferred thiophenes have an aralkyl (such as optionally substituted benzyl) or aryl (such as optionally substituted phenyl) substituent, e.g. at the 5-position of the thiophene ring.

[0061] Compounds containing furanyl rings may also be useful, especially for inhibiting HIV reverse transcriptase.

[0062] Preferred substituents are optionally substituted aryl groups (especially optionally substituted phenyl). Substitution is preferably at the 5-position of the ring.

[0063] The formulae of numerous preferred specific compounds of the present invention are presented later below.

[0064] The compounds of the present invention having formula A may be prepared by a process which comprises reaction of a compound of formula B with a dialkyloxalate of formula C followed by hydrolysis of the resulting diketo-ester of formula D:

[0065] where R′ is an alkyl group, typically having 1-6 carbon atoms. In the case where the target molecule is a pharmaceutically acceptable ester of the compound of formula A then R′ in formula C may be selected accordingly, and the step of hydrolysing the compound of formula D omitted, since in vivo hydrolysis can render the compounds active.

[0066] Preferred enzymes for inhibition by the compounds of the invention are those involved in phosphate transfer, in particular polymerases such as DNA polymerases, and RNA polymerases both of which may be either RNA dependent or DNA dependant. Compounds of the invention may particularly preferably be employed in the inhibition of viral enzymes. Examples of viral enzymes include RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and reverse transcriptases.

[0067] The compounds of the invention may be used as inhibitors of plant or animal (including human) viruses.

[0068] The viruses may be RNA viruses, which may, for example, be positive single stranded viruses of which polio virus, hepatitis C virus and encephalomyocarditis are examples, negative single stranded viruses such as orthomyxoviruses, and paramyxoviruses, and retroviruses of which HIV is a prominent example. Alternatively, the viruses may be DNA viruses, especially double stranded DNA viruses such as hepatitis B virus. In particular, compounds of the present invention may inhibit one or more of the following enzymes: hepatitis C virus RNA dependent RNA polymerase (HCV RdRp), hepatitis B virus polymerase (HBV pol) and reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV RT).

[0069] Especially preferred compounds of the invention will be suitable for use as HCV RdRp inhibitors.

[0070] Other classes of enzyme involved in phosphate transfer which may be susceptible to inhibition by compounds of the present invention include phosphatases, Rnases, integrases and ribozymes.

[0071] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided the non-therapeutic use of compound of formula A or suitable salt or ester as an enzyme inhibitor, especially as an inhibitor of polymerases, especially viral polymerases. For instance, compounds of the invention may be of utility in agriculture and horticulture for treating plants infected with or susceptible to plant virus.

[0072] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of formula A or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of a viral illness in a human or animal. For instance, the medicament may be used to treat viral illness by inhibiting one or more viral polymerase. Preferably the medicament is for treatment of hepatitis, such as hepatitis B or C, particularly hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus.

[0073] A still further aspect of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula A, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier. The composition may be in any suitable form, depending on the intended method of administration. It may for example be in the form of a tablet, capsule or liquid for oral administration, or of a solution or suspension for administration parenterally.

[0074] The pharmaceutical compositions optionally also include one or more other agents for the treatment of viral infections such as an antiviral agent, or an immunomodulatory agent such as α-, β-, or γ- interferon.

[0075] A still further aspect of the invention provides a method of inhibiting an enzyme, especially a viral polymerase and/or of treating or preventing a viral illness, the method involving administering to a human or animal (preferably mammalian) subject suffering from the condition a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition described above or of a compound of formula A or salt or ester thereof. “Effective amount” means an amount sufficient to cause a benefit to the subject or at least to cause a change in the subject's condition.

[0076] The dosage rate at which the compound, salt or ester is administered will depend on the nature of the subject, the nature and severity of the condition, the administration method used, etc. Appropriate values are selectable by routine testing. The compound, salt or ester may be administered alone or in combination with other treatments, either simultaneously or sequentially. For instance, it may be administered in combination with effective amounts of antiviral agents, immunomodulators, anti-infectives, or vaccines known to those of ordinary skill in the art. It may be administered by any suitable route, including orally, intravenously, cutaneously, subcutaneously, etc. It may be administered directly to a suitable site or in a manner in which it targets a particular site, such as a certain type of cell. Suitable targeting methods are already known.

[0077] A further aspect of the invention provides a method of preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, involving admixing one or more compound of formula A or salt or ester thereof with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants, diluents or carriers and/or with one or more other therapeutically or prophylactically active agents.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0078] Embodiments of the invention are described below by the way of example only.

EXAMPLES (1) Synthesis

[0079] The synthesis of the 2,4-dioxobutanoic acids consists of a Claisen condensation reaction between a methyl ketone substrate and diethyl oxalate in the presence of sodium ethoxide in tetrahydrofuran (Scheme 1A) and the subsequent hydrolysis of the ethyl ester with sodium hydroxide in methanol (Scheme 1B)

[0080] Reagents: (i) diethyl oxalate/NaOEt in THF

[0081] Reagents: (i) 5 eg. NaOH/MeOH

Exemplary Procedure for the Synthesis of the 2, 4-Dioxobutanoate Ethyl Esters

[0082] (Scheme 1A)

[0083] In a 50 ml round bottom flask with a stirring bar and under an inert atmosphere, the methyl ketone compound (1.0 mmole) in 10 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) is reacted with 2 equivalents of diethyl oxalate and 2 equivalents of sodium ethoxide (NaOEt) at ambient temperature for 3 hours. When reaction is completed, the reaction mixture is poured into a IN aqueous hydrochloric acid (HCl) and extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The organic phase is separated, washed first with water and then with brine. The organic layer is dried over sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), filtered and solvent is removed in vacuo leaving the desired dioxobutanoate ethyl ester in quantitative yield.

Exemplary Procedure for Hydrolysis of the Ethyl Ester

[0084] (Scheme 1B)

[0085] In a 50 ml round bottom flask with a stirring bar, the 2,4-dioxobutanoate ethyl ester compound (1.0 mmole) in 10 ml of methanol (MeOH) is reacted with 5 equivalents of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at ambient temperature for 2 hours.

[0086] The methanol is removed in vacuo. The aqueous residue is washed with diethyl ether (Et2O). The aqueous fraction is acidified by addition of 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (HCl) and the milky mixture is extracted with two portions of ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The combined organic fractions are washed with brine. The organic layer is dried over sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), filtered and solvent is removed in vacuo leaving the desired dioxobutanoic acid product.

[0087] Using this or analogous methods, compounds were produced as set out in the following Tables, which are categorised according to their “R” group.

[0088] The Tables include IC₅₀ data and the methods for assay are explained after the Tables.

[0089] Notes to Table: NA=not active as an inhibitor at concentrations up to that stated.

[0090] ND=not done.

[0091] In the tables, where nitrogen atoms appear to be divalent, the presence of a hydrogen atom is implied. TABLE I HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of 2,5-substituted phenyldiketoacids

Ex. No. R1 R2 IC 50 (μM) 1

5.6 2

3 3

27.9 4

8 5

17 6

18 7

2.92 8

44 9

51 10

20 11

7.08 12

16.7 13

2.6 14

26 15

83.5 16

4.3 17

11.6 18

2.2 19

11.9 20

0.38 21

0.955 22

19 23

0.94 24

19 25

28 26

26 27

2.84 28

6.2 29

3.9 30

15 31

18 32

6.1 33

18.2 34

9.6 35

6.1 36

1.6 37

18 38

16 39

22 40

8.3 41

28.9 42

16.6 43

20 44

18.5 45

12.9 46

30.1 47

20.7 48

22 49

32 50

7.8 51

1.9 52

10 53

0.115 54

2.3 55

10.8 56

23.6 57

2.1 58

13.6 59

25.3 60

40 61

31 62

10 63

1.7 64

0.23 65

45 66

11 67

16 68

30 69

14 70

9.2 71

10.6 72

0.48 73

5.6 74

3.6 75

19.2 76

50 77

4.8 78

0.67 79

6 80

3 81

1.4 82

19 83

9.4 84

0.95 85

13 86

2.05 87

2.3 88

0.7 89

3.3 90

1.8 91

6.2 92

1 93

1.9 94

5.8 95

0.48 96

50 97

2.8 98

1 99

0.6 100

7.8 101

7 102

1.5 103

6 104

50 105

13.7 106

6.8 107

0.14 108

6.9 109

0.17 110

30 111

0.12 112

1.33 113

0.1 114

0.5 115

3.7 116

0.3 117

0.14 118

0.2 119

0.049 120

0.36 121

4 122

2 123

0.29 124

28 125

0.17 126

0.056 127

0.3 128

24 129

1.6 130

0.14 131

0.78 132

0.67 133

3.2 134

23 135

21 136

0.2 137

0.9 138

1.1 139

1.4 140

1 141

0.56 142

0.4 143

0.45 144

14 145

1.2 146

15 147

1.3 148

0.26 149

0.55 150

2.3 151

0.5 152

20 153

19 154

30

[0092] TABLE II HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of 3,5-substituted phenyldiketoacids

Ex. No. R1 R2 IC 50 (μM) 155

1.4 156

1.3 157

0.9 158

0.2 159

20 160

0.1

[0093] TABLE III HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of 2,4-substituted phenyldiketoacids

Ex. No. R1 R2 IC 50 (μM) 161

2.8 162

5.5 163

26 164

47 165

2 166

20 167

0.6

[0094] TABLE IV HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of 2,3-substituted phenyldiketoacids

Ex. No. R1 R2 IC 50 (μM) 168

18 169

>50 170

>50

[0095] TABLE V HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of 2,6-substituted phenyldiketoacids

Ex. No. R1 R2 IC 50 (μM) 171

12 172

>50

[0096] TABLE VIa HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of pyrrole-2-substituted diketoacids

Ex. No. R1 IC 50 (μM) 173

21 174

13.4 175

25 176

29 177

25 178

17.9 179

12.8 180

93 181

30 182

30 183

32 184

6.7 185

6.3 186

24 187

36 188

12.7 189

28 190

18 191

10 192

8.2 193

12 194

16 195

11.1 196

15 197

11 198

7.9

[0097] TABLE VIb HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of thiophene-2-substituted diketoacids

Ex. No. R1 IC 50 (μM) 191

10 192

8.2 193

12 194

16 195

11.1 196

15 197

11 198

7.9 199

17 200

8.2 201

20 202

68 203

19.8 204

11 205

74 206

65 207

9.9 208

11.6 209

12.6 210

27 211

82 212

7.5 213

5.9 214

17 215

15.3

[0098] TABLE VIc HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of furan-2-substituted diketoacids Ex. R1 IC 50 (μM) 216

50 217

58 218

41.2

[0099] TABLE VIIa HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of pyrrole-3-substituted diketoacids

Ex. No. R1 IC 50 (μM) 219

23.7 220

4.6 221

20.6

[0100] TABLE VIIb HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of thiophene-3-substituted diketoacids

Ex. No. R1 IC 50 (μM) 222

4 223

27 224

50 225

167 226

17 227

15 228

17.8 229

80 230

8.6 231

9.4 232

11.8 233

9.2 234

14.5 235

7.5 236

26

[0101] TABLE VIIc HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of furan-3-substituted diketoacids

Ex. No. R1 IC 50 (μM) 237

14 238

47.5

[0102] TABLE VIII HCV-polymerase inhibitors: examples of alkyl-diketoacids

Ex. No. R1 IC 50 (μM) 239

9.4 240

18 241

37 242

12.8 243

6.7 244

77 245

81.4 246

18 247

45 248

10 249

60 250

17 251

21 252

61 253

55 254

14 255

16.7 256

25 257

50

[0103] TABLE IXa most active HCV-inhibitors

Ex. No. R1 HCV HIV HBV 126

0.056 100 ND 160

0.1 NA ND 113

0.1 90 ND 53

0.115 37 ND 111

0.12 80 ND 107

0.14 58 ND 117

0.14 100 ND 109

0.17 NA ND 158

0.2 NA ND 64

0.23 NA ND 116

0.3 NA ND 120

0.36 80 ND 20

0.38 27 ND 72

0.48 NA ND 99

0.6 50 ND 78

0.67 35 ND 88

0.7 NA ND 84

0.95 NA ND 21

1 >50 ND 23

1 59 ND 112

1.33 90 ND 155

1.4 130 416 36

1.6 24 ND 90

1.8 NA ND 165

2 NA ND 18

2.2 30 ND 161

2.8 320 108 80

3 NA ND 27

3 >50 ND 7

3.3 61  6 16

4.3 >100 ND 162

5.5 NA ND 1

5.6 90 NA 103

6 NA ND 243

6.7 26.8 ND 198

7.9 NA ND 4

8 >100 ND 192

8.2 NA ND 66

11 NA ND 19

12 77 ND 179

12.8 NA NA 190

18 NA NA 24

19 71 ND 49

32 NA ND

[0104] TABLE IXb most active HBV-Pol-inhibitors

Ex. No. R1 HCV HIV HBV 206

65 NA 2 205

74 NA 3.3 225

167 86 4 202

70 >100 9 196

15 50 9

[0105] TABLE IXc most active HIV-RT-inhibitors

Ex. No. R1 HCV HIV HBV 258

>100 3.6 NA 218

41.2 11.8 40 259

>100 16 NA 40

8.3 12 NA 20

0.38 27 ND 8

44 19 ND

2. Measurement of Inhibitory Activity

[0106] The effectiveness of the compounds set out above as polymerase inhibitors, stated above as IC₅₀ values, was assessed in screening assays as follows.

[0107] In initial tests, the compounds were tested to see if they were effective as inhibitors of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The HCV NS5B protein is the viral RdRp; compounds capable of interfering with the activity of this enzyme are thus expected to block viral replication.

Test for Inhibition of Hepatatis C Virus RdRp

[0108] WO 96/37619 describes the production of recombinant HCV RdRp from insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus encoding the enzyme. The purified enzyme was shown to possess in vitro RNA polymerase activity using RNA as template. The reference describes a polymerisation assay using poly (A) as a template and oligo(U) as a primer. Incorporation of tritiated UTP is quantified by measuring acid-insoluble radioactivity. The present inventors have employed this assay to screen the various compounds described above as inhibitors of HCV RdRp and other virally encoded polymerases.

[0109] Incorporation of radioactive UMP was measured as follows. The standard reaction (100 μl) was carried out in a buffer containing 20 mM tris/HCl pH 7.5, 5 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM DTT,50 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 2 OU Rnasin (Promega), 0.05% Triton X-100, 1 μCi[³H] UTP (40 Ci/mmol,NEN), 10 μM UTP and 10 μg/ml poly (A). Oligo (U)₁₂ (1 μg/ml, Genset) was added as a primer. The final NSSB enzyme concentration was 20 nM. After 1 hour incubation at 22° C. the reaction was stopped by adding 100 μl of 20% TCA and applying samples to DE81 filters. The filters were washed thoroughly with 5% TCA containing 1M Na₂HPO₄/NaH₂PO₄, pH 7.0, rinsed with water and then ethanol, air dried, and the filter-bound radioactivity was measured in the scintillation counter. By carrying out the reaction in the presence of various concentrations of each of the compounds set out above it was possible to determine IC50 values for each compound with the formula:

% residual activity=100/(1+[I]/IC ₅₀)^(s)

[0110] where [I] is the inhibitor concentration and “s” is the slope of the inhibition curve.

Test for Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus Polymerase

[0111] Analogous assays employed the polymerase of hepatitis B virus (HBV pol), obtained in the form of viral particles from the sera of HBV positive patients. These particles contain a polymerase bound to an incomplete double stranded DNA template. In the assay the incorporation of ³²P-dNTP is measured as radioactivity incorporated in acid insoluble precipitate.

[0112] The standard reaction (100 μl) was carried out in a buffer containing 50 mM tris/HCl pH 7.5, 30 mM MgCl 2 , 1 mM DTT, 100 mM KCl, 0.02% Triton X-100, 1 μCi[³²P] dCTP (300 Ci/mmol, NEN), 1 μM dATP, dTTP, dGTP. After 1 hour incubation at 37° C. the reaction was stopped by adding 100 μl of 20% TCA and applying samples to DE81 filters. The filters were processed and IC₅₀ values calculated as described above.

Test for Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Reverse Transcriptase

[0113] Analogous assays employed the reverse transcriptase of HIV (HIV -1RT) from Boehringer Mannhium.

[0114] Incorporation of radioactive dTTP was measured as follows. The standard reaction (100 μl) was carried out in a buffer containing 50 mM tris/HCl pH 8.2, 2.5 mM MgCl 2, 1 mM DTT, 80 mM KCl, 5 mM EGTA, 0.05% Triton X-100, 1 μCi[3H] dTTP (40 Ci/mmol, NEN), 10 μM UTP and 10 μg/ml poly(A)/dT (from Pharmacia). The final HIV-1RT(enzyme concentration was 1 nM. After 1 hour incubation at 37° C. the reaction was stopped by adding 100 μl of 20% TCA and applying samples to DE81 filters. The filters were processed and IC₅₀ values calculated as described above.

[0115] The results demonstrate that the compounds of the present invention are effective as inhibitors of viral polymerases at low micromolar concentrations.

[0116] It is apparent from the tables above that a compound of the present invention which is effective in the inhibition of one of the RNA dependent polymerases tested may not necessarily be as effective in inhibiting the other RNA dependent polymerases. The results shown in the tables above indicate a general trend, although this is not without exception. Generally, the most active inhibitors of HCV RdRp contained a phenyl ring attached to the diketoacid, whereas the HIV-RT inhibitors contained a furanyl group and those of HBV polymerase a thiophene group.

[0117] While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the present inventors hypothesize that the diketoacid fragment of the compounds of the present invention inhibits RNA dependent polymerase activity by providing an “active site anchor” and interacting with divalent metal cations (Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺) required for polymerase activity. The ring system found on the left hand side of the molecule can apparently be modified in order to build specificity towards a given polymerase. 

1. The use of a compound of formula A, or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein the group R is an organic moiety containing 2 to 24 carbon atoms which includes an optionally substituted cyclic or heterocyclic group, and wherein one of the atoms in the ring of the cyclic or heterocyclic group is directly bonded to the adjacent carbonyl in the diketoacid, in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment or prophylaxis of a viral illness in a human or animal by inhibition of a viral polymerase.


2. The use according to claim 1 wherein the medicament is for the inhibition of a DNA polymerase or RNA polymerase.
 3. The use according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the medicament is for treatment or prevention of infection by an RNA virus, such as a positive single-stranded virus, negative single stranded virus or retrovirus, or a DNA virus.
 4. The use according to claim 3 wherein the virus is selected from polio virus, hepatitis C virus, encephalomyocarditis, orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses, HIV, and hepatitis B.
 5. The use according to claim 3 wherein the medicament is for the inhibition of hepatitis C virus RNA dependent RNA polymerase (HCV RdRp), hepatitis B virus polymerase (HBV pol) , or reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV RT).
 6. The use according to any one of the following claims wherein the group R is selected from: (i) optionally substituted aromatic groups; (ii) optionally substituted heteroaryl groups; (iii) optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups; (iv) optionally substituted cycloalkenyl groups; and (v) optionally substituted cyclic heteroalkyl groups.
 7. A compound of formula A, as set out in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, for pharmaceutical use, wherein the group R is selected from: (i) optionally substituted aromatic groups; (ii) optionally substituted heteroaryl groups; (iii) optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups; (iv) optionally substituted cycloalkenyl groups; and (v) optionally substituted cyclic heteroalkyl groups, other than those containing a single nitrogen in the ring.
 8. A compound, ester or salt according to claim 7 wherein the group R is an optionally substituted phenyl group of formula:

wherein R₅ and R₆ independently are selected from hydrogen and the following substituent groups: (a) —OH; (b) —SH; (c) - halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine or bromine, (d) —CO₂H; (e) —CN; (f) —NO₂; (g) —NR₁R₂ wherein each of R₁ and R₂ is selected from H and lower alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or R₁ and R₂ together form a ring including 4 to 6 carbon atoms; (h) —SO₂NR₁R₂ where R₁ and R₂ are as defined above; (i) —CONR₁R₂, —NR₁CO₂H, or —NR₁COCOOH where R₁ and R₂ are as defined above; (j) an alkyl (or alkenyl or alkynyl group) group having 1 to 12 (2 to 12) carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 7 (2 to 7) carbon atoms optionally substituted by any one or more of the groups (a)-(i) above and/or optionally interrupted by a group selected from —O—, —S—, —NR₃—,

 —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CONR₃—, —NR₃CONR₃—, —SO₂—, —NR₃SO₂—, and —SO₂NR₃—; where each R₃ independently is H or lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; (k) an aryl or heteroaryl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with any one or more of groups (a) to (j) above; (l) an aralkyl or heteroaralkyl group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms optionally substituted with any one or more of groups (a)-(j) above and/or in which the alkyl part of the group is optionally interrupted by a group selected from —O—, —S—, —NR₃—,

 —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CONR₃—, —NR₃CONR₃—, —SO₂—, —NR₃SO₂—, and —SO₂NR₃—; where R₃ is as defined above; (m)

 where R₄ is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl group as such groups are defined above at (j), (k) and (l); (n)

 where R₄ is as defined above; (o) —OR₄ where R₄ is as defined above; (p)

 where R₄ is as defined above; (q) —SO₂R₄ where R₄ is as defined above; (r) —NHR₄ or —N(R₄)₂ where R₄ is as defined above; (s) —NHSO₂R₄ or —SO₂NHR₄, where R₄ is as defined above; and (t) —SR₄ and each of optional substituents (j) to (t) above may optionally itself be substituted by one or more groups selected from (j) to (t).
 9. A compound, ester or salt according to claim 8 wherein the substituents R₅ and R₆ are independently selected from H—, —OH, —OR₄, —NHSO₂R₄, lower alkyl, aralkyl, amino, amide, urethane or urea groups.
 10. A compound, salt or ester according to claim 8 wherein the substituents R₅ and R₆ are independently selected from H—, —OH, —OR₄, and —NHSO₂R₄.
 11. A compound, salt or ester according to claim 9 or claim 10 containing only one substituent either of formula —OR₄ or —NHSO₂R₄.
 12. A compound, salt or ester of any one of claims 9 to 11 containing a group of formula —OR₄ and/or —NHSO₂R₄ selected from: —OCH₂Ar; —O(CH₂)₂Ar —O(CH₂)₃CN; —O(CH₂)₃C≡CH; and —NHSO₂Ar; wherein Ar is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group.
 13. A compound, salt or ester, according to any one of claims 8 to 12 having a single substituent at a position ortho- or meta- to the diketoacid group.
 14. A compound, salt or ester according to any one of claims 8 to 12 having two substituents at the 2,5-; 3,5-; or 2,4-positions.
 15. A compound, salt or ester according to claim 7 wherein the group of formula R has the formula:

and each of R₇ and R₈ is independently selected from hydrogen or from the list of substituent groups set out at claim 8, and X is O, S, NH or NR₄, where R₄ is as defined above.
 16. A compound, salt or ester according to claim 15 which is a pyrrole-2-substituted diketoacid, a pyrrole-3-substituted diketoacid, a thiophene-2-substituted diketoacid, or a thiophene-3-substituted diketoacid.
 17. A compound, salt or ester according to claim 16 which is a pyrrole substituted diketoacid in which each of R₇ and R₈ is hydrogen.
 18. A compound, salt or ester according to any one of claims 15 to 17 which is a pyrrole substituted diketoacid having X=NR₄ and wherein R₄ is selected from optionally substituted or interrupted, alkyl aryl or aralkyl groups.
 19. A compound, salt or ester according to claim 7 wherein R is selected from cyclopropyl-, cyclopentyl-, cyclohexyl-, cyclopentenyl-, cyclohexenyl and adamantyl groups, any of which may, optionally, be substituted.
 20. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound, salt or ester of any one of claims 7 to 19 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.
 21. Use, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, of a compound, salt or ester according to any one of claims 7 to
 19. 22. A use according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or 21 wherein the medicament further comprises one or more other agents for the treatment of viral infections.
 23. A method of inhibiting a viral polymerase and/or of treating or preventing a viral illness by inhibiting a viral polymmerase, the method comprising administering to a human or animal subject suffering from the condition a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of the compound of formula A set out in claim 1, or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 24. A compound of formula A, as set out in claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof wherein the group R is selected from: (i) optionally substituted aromatic groups; (ii) optionally substituted heteroaryl groups; (iii) optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups; (iv) optionally substituted cycloalkenyl groups; and (v) optionally substituted cyclic heteroalkyl groups, other than those containing a single nitrogen in the ring. 